Secondary schools admissions and appeals

Summary

This video addresses the UK's special educational needs crisis, highlighting the underfunding of special educational needs budgets and the challenges parents face in securing appropriate secondary school placements for their children with EHCPs. The speaker outlines steps for parents to take if their child isn't offered a suitable school, including appealing to a tribunal where 98% of cases favor parents. The video also discusses the SEND reform trial, the importance of understanding legal rights, and strategies for self-care during the stressful appeals process. The speaker emphasizes the value of community support and provides tips for managing stress and advocating effectively for children's educational needs.

Takeaways

• 📊 Nearly 40% of children with an EHCP in the borough did not receive their first choice of secondary school.
• ⚠️ The UK is experiencing a crisis with special educational needs budgets being significantly underfunded.
• 🏫 Local authorities often push for the cheapest and simplest school options, regardless of appropriateness.
• 🙅‍♀️ Parents are not obligated to accept the local authority's choice and can appeal through a SEND tribunal.
• 🏛️ 98% of SEND tribunal cases are decided in favor of the parents, indicating the law supports them.
• ⏰ February 15th, 2024, is the statutory deadline for informing parents of secondary school places.
• 📑 The 'SCENT Change Program' is a trial that doesn't affect parents' legal rights to appeal.
• 📖 Parents have the right to see consultation documents to understand why their child was turned down for a school.
• 🚫 Limited reasons exist for turning down a child with an EHCP, and 'no space' or 'lack of funding' are not valid.
• 💼 Legal knowledge is crucial; parents are advised to read the SEN Code of Practice to understand their rights.
• 👥 Parents are encouraged to seek support from communities and take care of their mental health during the appeals process.

Q & A

What percentage of children with an EHCP in the speaker's borough did not get their first choice of secondary school?

Nearly 40% of children with an EHCP did not get their first choice of secondary school.

What is the purpose of mentioning the special educational needs crisis in the UK?

The purpose is to highlight the underfunding of special educational needs budgets and the challenges parents face in securing appropriate schools for their children.

What is the significance of the 15th of February deadline mentioned in the script?

The 15th of February is the statutory deadline for informing parents of secondary school places, emphasizing the importance of this date for parents to be aware of their child's school allocation.

What is the SCENT change program and how does it relate to the script?

The SCENT change program is a trial program testing parts of the government's white paper around SEND reform. It's mentioned to inform viewers that even if their area is part of the trial, it does not affect their legal rights to appeal school placements.

Why is it important for parents to ask to see the consultation documents from the local authority?

It is important because parents have a right to understand the reasons behind the rejection of their preferred school choices, and these documents can provide insight into the local authority's decision-making process.

What are the three conditions under which a local authority can refuse a request for a school placement as per the Children and Families Act 2004?

The local authority can refuse a request if: 1) the setting is unsuitable for the child's needs, 2) the child's attendance would be incompatible with the efficient education of others, or 3) the child's attendance would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

Why is it recommended to lodge an appeal as soon as possible if a parent disagrees with the school placement?

It is recommended to lodge an appeal as soon as possible due to the backlog of cases and the potential for long waiting times for tribunal hearings.

What does the speaker suggest doing if a parent cannot find a solicitor to help with an appeal?

The speaker suggests using an AS Advocate, seeking support from friends, or representing oneself with the help of friends and community resources.

Why is self-care emphasized in the script?

Self-care is emphasized because the process of appealing school placements can be stressful and overwhelming, and it's important for parents to maintain their mental health during this challenging time.

What resources does the speaker provide at the end of the script to help with self-care?

The speaker provides links to learn more about tapping, free tapping resources, and a video about self-care techniques to help manage stress and overwhelm.